BROWN TOWN: With the emergence of players such as running back Andre Brown (left), who came through in a big way subbing for the injured Ahmad Bradshaw on Thursday at Carolina, the Giants have depth of talent necessary to make a strong run to the playoffs this season. Photo: N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

There was a suspicion heading into this season that the Giants roster, from top to bottom, was deeper than most and if the old, reliable “only as strong as your weakest link’’ bromide rang true, this team would fare better than most.

It now appears the Giants are deeper than first suspected and that means they are built for the long-haul of a grinding NFL season.

The greatest area of concern remains the offensive line, where the loss of David Diehl to a knee injury leaves the backup situation, to be kind, tenuous. And keeping enough cornerbacks healthy is an ongoing headache, with Corey Webster (broken hand), Prince Amukamara (high ankle sprain), Jayron Hosley (hamstring) and Michael Coe (hamstring) all either coming or going out of ailments that leave coach Tom Coughlin in the “What can I say?’’ frame of mind.

Already, the Giants have leaned heavily on an 11-day break after their first game and their current 10-day cushion between games 3 and 4 as healing time for various pulls and strains. They can take the field in droves at linebacker, where the second-unit trio of Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich and Keith Rivers could start, en masse, and the Giants wouldn’t feel they were short-handed.

Perhaps Marvin Austin can shake off the rust and be a forceful addition to the defensive tackle rotation and, lest we forget, Chris Canty will be back in mid-October. The emergence of Martellus Bennett as the pass-catching target the Giants hoped he would be provides another towering toy for Eli Manning. If the previous game was not an illusion, if Andre Brown at running back and Ramses Barden at receiver are ready to make real contributions, Manning’s options have greatly multiplied.

Brown looked every bit a full-load back stepping in for injured Ahmad Bradshaw against the Buccaneers and especially at Carolina, powering forward for yards, showing a nice burst and real explosion going up and over at the goal line.

“He’s done a great job, just another weapon for us to have when Ahmad gets back,’’ right guard Chris Snee said.

When Bradshaw returns from a sprained neck, he’ll be reinserted as the starter, but Brown has earned steady work as the next in line, pushing rookie first-round pick David Wilson down the depth chart. Although Coughlin stated, “There is no assessment of what David is doing vs. what Andre is doing,’’ there is currently no need to force-feed Wilson onto the field.

“There’s a little bit more to go in terms of his learning curve,’’ Coughlin said. “As he continues to do that and develop, he’s going to have to take his place here.’’

Wilson isn’t ready yet, that is clear. Neither is rookie receiver Rueben Randle. Back in 2007, Bradshaw and receiver Steve Smith, a month into their rookie seasons, weren’t ready either. But the Giants wouldn’t have won Super Bowl XLII that year without them. Just because Wilson looks a bit overwhelmed now doesn’t mean that’s the look he will have once Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving and along comes Christmas.

If there’s something there, it will come out, eventually. General manager Jerry Reese, in the 2009 NFL Draft, used the first of two third-round picks on Barden, a towering but raw receiver out of nondescript Cal-Poly. In the fourth round, Reese took Brown, a tough runner from North Carolina State likened to another Giants running back.

“We thought he was Derrick Ward-like, but faster,’’ Reese recalled. “Big guy, can run inside with some speed. Can pound defenses.’’

Brown got hurt, got cut and became an NFL vagabond, until two weeks ago. Barden blended injuries and inconsistency into a near-toxic mix that almost sent him packing.

“I’ve seen a lot of guys after their third year, into their fourth year turn it on and be tremendous players,’’ Reese said. “Amani Toomer comes to mind. His first three years he was trying to get it, trying to get it, his fourth year he was great.’’

That’s the scout in Reese talking, believing in his draft picks, at times despite evidence to the contrary. Reese has provided enough players for this particular team and the juggling act is on.

“I think there’s a place for everybody,’’ Coughlin said, knowing as problems go, this one is not bad.